Theatre review: Rent

Twenty years later Rent, laden with theatrical awards and the Pulitzer Prize, remains as powerful as ever with its story of impoverished young artists struggling to survive in mid-1990s New York City’s East Village with the threat of HIV/AIDS ever present. The story of doomed lovers is loosely based on the opera La Boheme, but don’t let that put you off visiting what’s a loud and proud rock opera blessed in this first rate production by a superb cast who really can sing.

One of the leading cast members Lucie Jones – the X Factor finalist who’ll represent the UK in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest – was absent through illness for Tuesday’s opening night in York but more than ably replaced by understudy Christina Modestou in what’s essentially an ensemble piece. There’s not a weak link among them although it would be wrong not to make special mention of Layton Williams, a former stage Billy Elliot, who proves a standout scene-stealer as drag artist Angel in Lee Proud’s dynamic choreography.

To April 22.